Valve



VALVE Filed March 5, 1946 2 ShQetS -ShQet 1 \H l. 44 .la v

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4144 ATTORNEYS,

June 14, 1949. ..P. STRANGE E'F'AL 2,473,078

VALVE Filed March 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: NTORSV 4, M W. 3 6.0. m g m' cw f mvfiww 0M4, ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 14, 1949 UNITED STATE VALVE John 1. Strange,

Wilkinsburg, and William P.

Yant, Murraysville, Pa, assignors to Mine Safety Appliances Company, Pittsburgh, Pa... a

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to valves, and more particularly to valves for regulating the supply of oxygen to wearers of breathin apparatus.

There are several ways of reviving a person whose normal breathing has stopped, such as by periodically applying pressure to his body to collapse his lungs, or by forcing oxygen into his lungs under pressure. In the first or artificial respiration method a container of oxygen may be connected with the patients mouth so that when his lungs expand after release of pressure from his body, he will inhale oxygen from the container. In the second or positive pressure method an operator alternately opens and closes a valve in order to periodically force the oxygen into the lungs of the patient. The method of resuscitation used, when a choice is available, depends upon surrounding circumstances, the condition and requirements of the patient, and the circumstances that caused stoppage of his breathing. Thus, the physical condition of the patient may be such that artificial respiration can not be used, or the location of the patient may prevent it. For example, when he is being carried in a jolting ambulance or crash boat it may be impossible for the rescuer to stay in the position necessary for applying manual pressure to the patients body. Heretofore, it has been necessary either to have two sets of apparatus or to change or substitute parts of the apparatus in order to change from one method of artificial respiration to another. Such a change may require more time than can be taken without endangering the life of the patient. Furthermore, when the patient starts to breathe it is important to adapt the rhythm of the artificial respiration and the supply of oxygen to his normal breathing cycle. In some instances the one who is administering the artificial respiration is himself overcome or is jolted away from the patient just as the patient starts to breathe, with the result that the patient again stops breathing and dies before anything more can be done for him.

It is among the objects. of. this invention to provide an oxygen valve which can be operated manually or by the breathing of a person using it, which can be used as either a positive pressure or an inhalation valve, which can be changed almost instantaneously from onetype of valve to the. other, and which will function as a demand valve if the patient starts breathing while oxygen is being supplied to him by the positive pressure method.

In accordance with this invention the valve has a housing provided with an open side, and also with an inlet and with an outlet for oxygen under pressure connected, to the valve. A flexible diaphragm covers the open side of the housing, and the valve also is provided with an exhalation port. Manually operable means is employed for closing this port and for pushing the diaphragm inwardly. A valve member for the inlet port is urged toward closed position, but is operatively connected to the diaphragm so that the housing inlet will be opened when the diaphragm is pushed inwardly either by manual pressure or by reduction in air pressure inside the housing. When the diaphragm moves outwardly again and the inlet valve closes, the exhalation port opens.

; The valve also includes manually operable means for normally holding the diaphragm in its inner position so that the inlet valve will be held open until the air pressure in the housing is sufficient to move the diaphragm outwardly and permit the inlet valve to close.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a plan view of the valve with part of the cover broken away; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the lin II-II of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a generally cylindrical housing i has an open top the inside of which is threaded. The side wall of the housing is provided with an inlet port 2 encircled by an outwardly projecting coupling flange 3 integral with the side wall. Inside the flange a sealing gasket ll encircles the inlet port and is pressed against the side wall of the housing by a ring 6 provided with an annular valve seat. A valve disc i normally is pressed against this seat by a light coil spring 8 held in a cage 9 clamped against the ring by means of a tube ll screwed into the coupling flange. This tube is connected to an oxygen bottle (not shown). Diametrically opposite the inlet port the housing is provided with an outlet port l2 encircled by a coupling flange E3 on which one end of a flexible hos it is screwed. The opposite end of this hose is adapted to be connected to a breathing mask that may be fitted over the nose and mouth of a person requiring artificial respiration.

A short distance below its top the housing is provided with an inwardly extending annular shoulder l6 on which the marginal area of a circular flexible diaphragm ll rests. The diaphragm preferably is rubber or the like. The marginal area of the diaphragm is held tightly against the shoulder by means of a clamping ring it which is pressed against the diaphragm by an annular cover member I 9 screwed into the top of the housing. The diaphragm has a stiff central area that may be formed by moldin a metal disc 2i into the diaphragm. Between this disc and shoulder it, the diaphragm is bowed upwardly to increase its flexibility. The stiff central area of the diaphragm is provided with a center port 22 surrounded by several exhalation ports 23, and this group of ports is encircled by an upwardly projecting rib 26 that forms an exhalation valve seat.

overlying ports 23 is a circular exhalation valve disc or button 26 which ma be made of metal or other suitable rigid material. From the center of this button a short stem 27 extends down through center port 22 in the diaphragm. Straddling the lower end of the stem is the bifurcated end of a lever 28 provided with slots 29 extending across the stem. A pin 31 radially from the stem extends through these slots. The lever extends downwardly from the stem and toward the inlet valve. Directly in front of valve disc 7 there is a supporting member 32 for the lever. This member is connected to the bottom of the housing by means of a screw 33 and is provided with a slot 34 extending downwardly from its upper end. The main body of t e lever extends through the lower portion of this slot, but inside the slot the lever is provided with an upwardly projecting lug 36 the upper end of which is pivotally supported by a pin 37 extending through the top of supporting member 32.

With this construction, when button 26 is depressed by an 28 is moved downwardly which rocks the lever on its pivot 31 and causes its opposite end to press against inlet valve disc 7 and push it on its seat. Oxygenunder pressure then can flow from tube it through the valve housing and out through outlet l2 and into the lungs of a person who is being resuscitated. When the button is released, the diaphragm and button rise and permit the inlet valve to close. After this the pressure created in the housing by the attempt of the patients lungs to force out air continues to raise the diaphragm until it strikes a stop ring iii fastened to the top of diaphragm cover it and projecting down through its central opening.

The pressure inside of the housing will lift the button off seat 24 of the arrested diaphragm and thus uncover the exhalation ports. As the pressure in the housing decreases, the diaphragm and button will settle back toward normal position.

In this positive tion manual pressure is not applied to the back of a patient in order to force air out of his lungs. It therefore becomes highly desirable that as little resistance as possible be offered to escape of air from his lungs caused only by natural contraction of chest and diaphragm muscles. Accordingly, when button 25 is in its position, it is spaced a short distance above its seat so that the exhalation ports will be open to atmosphere when the pressure in the housing approaches normal. This is accomplished by means of a weak spring 4!. The inner end of the spring is connected to the lower end of a rigid projection 42 from the stem end of the lever. The spring extends upwardly and outwardly toward the housing outlet to the central portion of a position adjusting member 43 that is formed from a rod bent into more or less U-shape. From its central portion the rod projecting operator, the stem end of lever pressure method of resuscitaoil curves around the inside of the housing to diametrically opposite points midway between the inlet and outlet ports. One end of the rod is journaied in a bearing member 44 screwed into the side wall of the housing, while the other end of the rod extends through a combined hearing and packing gland 4G screwed into the opposite side of the housing. This end of the rod projects from the housing and has a knob l? rigidly mounted on its end. The inner face of the knob is provided with a pair of vertically spaced depressions 48. A leaf spring 48 between the knob and valve housing is provided with an enlarged opening through which the rod extends. One end of this spring is attached to the side of the housing by rivets 53, and the opposite end is provided with a detent adapted to project into either one of the depressions 43 in the knob, depending on the position of the knob, to retain the knob in the desired position. When the detent is in the lower depression the central portion of the adjusting member as is in its upper position with the button raised slightly away from the diaphragm.

If for some reason the operator should fail to depress button 28 just as the patient started to inhale naturally, the act of inhaling would draw the button down onto its seat and then pull both button and diaphragm down into the housing. This would open the inlet valve so that oxygen would be supplied for inhalation. Thus, the flexible diaphragm will respond to decrease in fluid pressure in the system as well as to manual depressing by means of the button, so the valve will serve as a demand valve when the occasion arises.

In case it is wished to use this valve as an inhalation valve to supply oxygen to a person to whom the body pressure system of artificial respiration is being administered, the knob '5? is turned counterclockwise to swing the central portion of adjusting rod 43 to its lower position. The resulting change in the position of the spring causes it to pull the stem end of lever 28 down in the housing, and this pulls the button down and thereby draws the diaphragm down into the housing. At the same time, of course, the opposite end of the lever kicks up and opens the inlet valve so that oxygen will be in direct communication with the patient when his lungs expand. The action of spring 4| in pulling the button and diaphragm down and also opening the inlet valve causes a positive pressure in the housing at all times. This pressure is in proportion to the strength of the spring and aids in overcoming pneumatic resistance of the breathing tube and mask. When pressure on the patients body forces air from his lungs, the increased air pressure thus created in the housing raises the diaphragm until it strikes stop ring :38, and continues to raise the button until the exhalation ports have been opened sufliciently for the air to escape through the diaphragm. At the next inhalation of the patient the pressure in the housing is reduced enough to permit spring ll to again pull the button and diaphragm into the housing, and the inlet valve is opened by lever 28. In case the operator does not apply pressure to the patient at the moment his lungs are. filled with oxygen, the pressure from the oxygen entering the valve housing will start to build up in the housing and will raise the diaphragm and button until lever 28 permits the inlet valve to close, thereby cutting off the supply of oxygen. As soon as pressure is applied to the patients lungs the pressure inside the valve housing is increased and the diaphragm and button are raised still further until the exhaust ports are opened. The stop ring is so positioned relative to the diaphragm that the inlet valve always closes before the exhalation valve opens.

It will be seen that either the positive pressure or the inhalation method of artificial respiration can be used with this valve by merely switching the knob from one position to the other, which takes but a moment. No parts need be changed, and only one piece of apparatus is required.

According to the provisions 50f the patent statutes, we have explained the principle and construction of our invention and have illustrated and described what we now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, We desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

We claim:

l. A valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering the open side of the housing, the valve also being provided with an exhalation port leading out of the housing between said inlet and outlet, manually operable means for closing said port and pushing said diaphragm inwardly, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, and means operatively connecting the diaphragm with said valve member for opening said inlet when the diaphragm is pushed inwardly.

2. A valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering the open side of the housing, the valve also being provided with an exhalation port, a. manually operable member at the outer :side of the diaphragm for closing said port and simultaneously pushing said diaphragm inwardly, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, and means inside the housing operatively connecting the diaphragm with said valve member for opening said inlet when the diaphragm is pushed inwardly.

3. A valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing 1 apparatus, said valve comprising .a housing provided with an open .side .and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering the open side of the housing, the valve also being provided with an exhalation port, an exhalation valve member at the outer side of the diaphragm adapted to be moved inwardly to close said port and to depress said diaphragm, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, and means operatively -connect- 1 ing the diaphragm with said inlet valve member for opening said inlet when the diaphragm is depressed.

l. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided with an exhalation port, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal said port, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means in the housing for opening said inlet valve, and a connection between said means and exhalation valve member whereby said means is actuated to open the inlet valve when the exhalation valve member is moved in- \vardly.

5. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for :said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided centrally with a plurality of ports, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal said ports, a stem secured to said member and extending slidably through one of said ports, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means in the housing for opening said inlet valve, and a connection between said means and stem whereby said means is actuated to open the inlet valve when the stem is moved inwardly.

(i. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided centrally with a plurality of ports, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal said ports, a stem secured to said member and extending slidably through one of said ports, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, a lever pivotally mounted in the housing for opening said inlet valve, and means oper- .atively connecting said stem to the lever for actuating it to open the inlet valve when said exhalation valve member is pressed inwardly manually or is drawn inwardly by inhalation of said wearer.

"I. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided centrally with a plurality of ports, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapt- .ed to seal said ports, a stem secured to said member and extending slidably through one of said ports, a spring normally spacing said memher from said ports, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means in the housing for opening said inlet valve, and a con- .nection between said means and stem whereby said means is actuated to open the inlet valve when the inhalation valve member is moved inwardly.

8. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided centrally with a plurality of ports, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal :said ports, a stem secured to said member and extending slidably through one of said ports,

a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, a lever pivotally mounted between its ends in the housing, one end of the lever being located close to the inlet valve member, and a pin and slot connection operatively connecting the opposite end of the lever to the inner end of said stem, whereby when the stem is moved inwardly the lever is swung on its pivot to open the inlet valve.

9. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided with an exhalation port, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal said port, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means in the housing for opening said inlet valve, a connection between said means and exhalation valve member for actuating said means to open the inlet valve when the exhalation valve member is moved inwardly, and means limiting outward flexing of the diaphragm when said wearer exhales into said housing, whereby said exhalation valve member will move away from the diaphragm and open said port.

10. A. combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under ressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housin provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and having a stilt central portion provide. with a plurality of ports, an exhalation valve outside the housing adapted to seal said ports, a stem secured to said disc and extending slidably through one of said ports, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means in the housing for opening said inlet valve, and a connection between said means and stem whereby said means is actuated to open the inlet valve when said disc is moved inwardly.

11. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided with an exhalation port, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal said port, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means in the housing for opening said inlet valve, 2. connection between said means and exhalation valve member whereby said means is actuated to open the inlet valve when the exhalation valve member is pressed inwardly, and manually operable means for normally holding the exhalation valve member in its inner position to hold the inlet valve open.

12. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided centrally with a plurality of ports, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal said ports, a stem secured to said member and extending slidably through one of said ports, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means in the housing for opening said inlet valve, a connection between said means and stem whereby said means is actuated to open the inlet valve when the stem is moved inwardly, a spring operatively connected to the stem and normally holding the exhalation valve open slightly, and manually operable means for moving the spring into a position in which it biases the stem toward its inner position to close the exhalation valve and to hold the inlet valve open, exhalation of said wearer into the housing causing said diaphragm to carry said stem outwardly and thereby permit the inlet valve to close.

13. A combined positive pressure and inhalation valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering said open side of the housing and provided centrally with a plurality of ports, an exhalation valve member outside the housing adapted to seal said ports, a stem secured to said member and extending slidably through one of said ports, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, a lever pivotally mounted between its ends in the housing, one end of the lever being located close to the inlet valve member, means pivotally connecting the opposite end of the lever to the inner end of said stem, whereby when the stem is moved inwardly the lever is swung on its pivot to open the inlet valve, a coil spring connected at one end to said opposite end of the lever, a position adjusting member connected to the opposite end of the spring, and means operable from outside the housing for moving said adjusting member from a position in which the spring helps hold the lever in inoperative position to a position in which the spring normally holds the lever in valve-opening position.

14. A valve through which oxygen under pressure may be supplied to the wearer of breathing apparatus, said valve comprising a housing provided with an open side and with an inlet and an outlet for said oxygen, a flexible diaphragm covering the open side of the housing, the valve also being provided with an exhalation port, manually operable means for closing said port and pushing said diaphragm inwardly, a valve member for said inlet urged toward closed position, means operatively connecting the diaphragm with said valve member for opening said inlet when the diaphragm is pushed inwardly, and manually operable means for normally maintaining the exhalation port closed and the diaphragm in its inner position to thereby hold the inlet valve open.

JOHN P. STRANGE.

WILLIAM P. YANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,376,348 Fox May 22, 1945 2,391,877 Cohan Jan. i946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 156,066 Great Britain Oct. 28, 1936 

